School holidays and maternity leave

[Taylor19]

Baby due October 13th, thinking of going on Mat leave 11th October (If I can last that long)
I intend to have 9 months off as Maternity pay ends after that. Someone did say that to get paid during the summer holidays 2022 I'd have to work 2 weeks prior to the the 6 weeks holidays to get my normal pay once my maternity has finished. Not sure if it is true though.
My worry is, one they've not had experience with maternity leave themself and even though it can come from a good place it might be inaccurate. I basically want to work as close to my due date as I can to have to have longer off with the baby and come want to be back as late as possible without missing out on my normal pay before the summer holidays. My summer school holidays starts 22nd July 2022.

When would be best to go on maternity leave?
Ps: I'm a HLTA, not sure if this makes any difference to pay etc

Thanks in advance

I was going to comment but then realised as a HLTA you might be on one of those TTO contracts spread over the year that i don't understand.

Honestly I this case I would get in touch with HR for your LA/chain via your work email and ask them for a definitive answer partly because they should know but also partly if THEY advise you wrongly then you've got some comeback/evidence. I doubt that would happen but would still want it from someone who's got my contract and my school maternity policy in front of them tbh.

I know for a teacher contract you can give the first day of a holiday as your return to work with no problem but obviously that's the standard burgundy book rule so isn't as complicated as other roles in schools can be.

You can return from the maternity leave the first day of the holidays if you wish! Some schools prefer, as a curtesy, that you go back before the holiday starts but they can't actually insist on it. I've had 2 early September babies and have returned on both occasions for the last few days of the Summer term as I've found that helpful in starting to prepare to teach my own class again.

The above poster is correct that it may be more complicated depending on your contract. Definitely try to speak to speak with you HR team. Hopefully, you'll be able to do the same.

Check with HR and get hold of the maternity policy for support staff in your setting. Also, it might be useful to use Shared Parental Leave - you can ‘return to work’ during the holidays and be paid in full, then have your first actual day back in work on 1st September. There is no requirement for the other parent to take leave, even though it’s ‘shared’, so you can be at home in the holiday and still earning whilst your partner does whatever they usually do in the holidays. It can work really well for people who work in education - I’m doing it this year to make sure I’m paid in full for Easter and summer.

www.gov.uk/shared-parental-leave-and-pay

And congratulations!